In his Letter to Women, published on June 29, 1995, prior to the Fourth World Conference on Women, Pope John Paul II writes that, “The creation of woman is thus marked from the outset by the principle of help: a help which is not one-sided but mutual. Woman complements man, just as man complements woman: men and women are complementary. Womanhood expresses the “human” as much as manhood does, but in a different and complementary way.” As men and women it is important for us to understand that we cannot eclipse the other, but we both have qualities which are complimentary to each other

On the occasion of International women’s day, The CBCI Secretary General along with the CBCI Council for Women celebrated the International Womens’ Day with a simple but solemn and meaningful celebration for the CBCI and Caritas women collaborators. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, the Secretary General presided over the solemn Holy Eucharist in the CBCI Community Chapel. Prayers were conducted to thank God and to pray for women worldwide. The Bishop requested the participants to pray for mothers, daughters, wives and for all marginalized women, for those who are oppressed within their own homes, work place etc.

In his homily Bishop Theodore said that women’s day was more than a day of celebration, a day of remembering the countless women who lost their lives during the struggle to get their basic rights. It is a day to respect them and remember their dignity and to reflect upon womanhood and their identity as women. For us Catholics women’s day are all those Marian feast that are celebrated in the Church because she is the real role model for women.

Sr. Talisha thanked the Bishop, priests and all those who were present for the Holy Eucharist and prayed for the women.

After the Mass a get together was organised in the refectory. During the get together the birthday of Fr. Deepak Thomas KJ OCD, CBCI Youth Council Secretary of CBCI and Womanhood was celebrated with snacks and high tea. Each of the women present was gifted a Tau Cross of Assisi